SECTION XI

Domestic Violence

INTRODUCTION

The violence within the American domicile has been recognized for decades
by elements of government and society with little done to correct the
problem. Only recently has this phenomenon begun to receive the attention
it deserves. In an effort to understand, identify and treat the incidents
of abuse occurring in the home, the State of New Jersey, through its legislature,
has provided the means to gain a meaningful insight into this issue.

In 1982, the Domestic Violence Act was instituted to protect battered
victims and study the complex problems that spark such aggressive behavior.
This legislation also provided the opportunity to identify the causes
of violence in the home and put forth a more comprehensive effort to combat
the crime of Domestic Violence.

Improvements since the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act are
continuing. Pursuant to a change in N.J.S.A. 2C:25-24 enacted, June 9,
1999, arrest data is presented by county. Domestic Violence Restraining
Order violations are now captured and reported. Revised investigation
and reporting procedures by the police; improved processing of domestic
complaints by the courts; mandatory in-service training for police and
court personnel have all enabled the victim to come forward and implement
the constitutional rights granted to all Americans.

The following pages of narrative and graphics in this chapter are the
result of gathered data displaying the complexities of domestic violence
found within the State of New Jersey. It is through analysis of this data
that, hopefully, the keys to preventing future violence can be found.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STATISTICAL SUMMARY

There were 77,680 domestic violence offenses reported by the police
in 2000, a 4% decrease compared to the 80,681 reported in 1999.

Murders decreased 29% in 2000 (39) when compared to 1999 (55).

Assaults accounted for 47% (36,602) and harassment accounted for
38% (29,869) of the reported offenses in 2000.

Arrests were made in 33% (25,774) of the offenses reported for 2000,
a decrease of 2% when compared to 1999 (26,240).

The most frequent day of domestic violence occurrences was Sunday
(14,298).

For the eighteenth consecutive year, the most frequent hours of domestic
violence incidents were between 8:00 p.m. and midnight, when 29% (22,386)
of the offenses were reported.

Children were involved or present during 39% of all domestic violence
offenses occurring in 2000. Specifically, 6% (4,800) were involved and
33% (25,786) were present.

Wives were the victims in 23% (17,903) and ex-wives were the victims
in 3% (2,294) of the reported domestic violence offenses in 2000. Overall,
females were victims in 78% (60,377) of all domestic violence offenses.

The number of domestic violence complaints that had prior court orders
issued against the offender increased from 16,194 in 1999 to 18,987
in 2000. This is an increase of 17%.

Alcohol and/or drugs were involved in 32% (24,850) of the reported
offenses occurring in 2000. Alcohol involvement alone accounted for
29% (22,195) of the total domestic violence offenses reported.

Persons age 60 or over were victims in 3% (2,127) of all reported
domestic violence offenses that occurred in 2000. Elderly were the victims
in 21% (8) of the domestic violence murders (39).

Domestic violence does not occur at a regular frequency, but when
viewed as a ratio of its occurrence to a fixed time interval, one act
of domestic violence would occur every 6 minutes and 46 seconds.

Domestic violence offenses arising from a dating relationship accounted
for 13% (9,836) of the state total.

There were 3,878 total arrests involving domestic violence restraining
orders reported by police in 2000. Of these, 1,789 were arrests for
violations of a restraining order only, while 2,089 were arrests for
violations of a restraining order with an offense arrest.